Player news from trusted outlets
Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Miami Heat guard Davion Mitchell has been officially ruled out for Sunday's game against the Suns, marking his third consecutive absence due to a left shoulder sprain. Mitchell's next opportunity to return to action will be Wednesday when the team faces the Magic. With Mitchell sidelined, Kasparas Jakucionis and Dru Smith are expected to see increased playing time and are candidates for increased minutes in the rotation.
New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy is available for Sunday's game against the Spurs, despite being a late addition to the injury report with right hand soreness. The 2021 first-rounder has been given the green light to play in Sunday's road contest. Murphy has been on an impressive tear recently, averaging 25.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.8 steals, and 3.4 three-pointers over 36.4 minutes per game in his last five outings.
Tari Eason (ankle) is off the injury report and expected to return to the lineup for Monday's game against the Grizzlies. He sat out Friday's back-to-back due to right ankle injury management. The 24-year-old forward has appeared in two of Houston's last eight games, averaging 9.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.5 steals, and 1.5 assists across 24.0 minutes off the bench in that stretch.
Collin Murray-Boyles (thumb) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Thunder, marking his fourth consecutive missed game. He aggravated a left thumb injury during the Raptors' Jan. 18 loss to the Lakers. His next chance to play is Wednesday against the Knicks, with Sandro Mamukelashvili expected to remain in the starting lineup during his absence.
Bennedict Mathurin (thumb) is listed as questionable for Monday's game against the Hawks. The fourth-year pro has missed the Pacers' last 11 games due to a right thumb sprain but has progressed enough in his recovery to potentially return. If cleared, he would likely reclaim Johnny Furphy's spot in the starting lineup.
Paul George has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Hornets due to left knee injury management. He will miss the front end of this back-to-back set, as he has yet to play both legs of a back-to-back this season. His next opportunity to play is Tuesday against Milwaukee. Dominick Barlow and Trendon Watford are candidates for increased minutes.
Joel Embiid has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Hornets due to left knee injury management. The 76ers are managing his availability, and the star big man has not played both halves of a back-to-back this season. He is expected to return to action Tuesday against the Bucks. Andre Drummond is anticipated to start, with Adem Bona also seeing increased minutes.
Deni Avdija (back) is listed as questionable for Monday's game against the Celtics. He is at risk of missing his second consecutive contest due to a lower back strain sustained in Thursday's win over the Heat. If Avdija is ultimately ruled out, Sidy Cissoko and Rayan Rupert could see increased minutes.
Neemias Queta (illness) is listed as questionable for Monday's game against the Trail Blazers. He has been battling through an illness, which led to his removal from the Celtics' starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Bulls. During Saturday's 24 minutes of play, he logged six points (2-6 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds, two steals, and one block. Rookie Amari Williams is slated to start for a second consecutive game if Queta is unable to play or is limited to a reserve role.
Jonathan Kuminga has been diagnosed with a bone bruise in his left knee and will be re-evaluated "in the coming days," the Warriors announced. He sustained the injury during Thursday's loss to the Mavericks and is officially out for Sunday's game against the Timberwolves. Kuminga is now expected to miss an extended period and can be considered week-to-week. Gui Santos, Buddy Hield, and Gary Payton are candidates for increased playing time in his absence.
Cooper Flagg (left ankle injury management) was listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Bucks, but the game has been postponed due to inclement weather. The rookie previously missed two games in January with the same issue. His anticipated absence would likely lead to increased minutes for teammates Ryan Nembhard, Brandon Williams, Jaden Hardy, and D'Angelo Russell. A make-up date of February 19th is under consideration. Flagg's next chance to play is Wednesday against the Timberwolves.
Myles Turner's Sunday game between the Bucks and Mavericks has been postponed due to inclement weather, as reported by Brad Townsend. The NBA will announce a rescheduled date later, with February 19th under consideration. Turner and the Bucks' next scheduled game is Tuesday against the 76ers.
Noah Clowney (back) has been officially ruled out for Sunday's game against the Clippers. The Brooklyn Nets forward will miss the upcoming contest while managing a back injury, with his next opportunity to take the court being Tuesday against the Suns. In Clowney's absence, Jalen Wilson, Ziaire Williams, and Danny Wolf are all candidates who could see increased playing time and potentially larger roles for the team.
Jaren Jackson and the Memphis Grizzlies' Sunday game against the Denver Nuggets has been postponed due to inclement weather in the Memphis area. The NBA is expected to announce a rescheduled date later. Jackson and the Grizzlies are now slated to play their next game on Monday against the Houston Rockets.
Jamal Murray's Sunday game between the Denver Nuggets and Memphis Grizzlies has been postponed due to inclement weather. The NBA has not yet announced a rescheduled date. Murray was previously listed as questionable for the contest, dealing with injuries to his right hamstring and left hip.
Hawks F Zaccharie Risacher (knee) has been assigned to the G League College Park Skyhawks to continue his recovery from a left knee contusion. Risacher has been sidelined since January 7 and is currently ramping up his activity. A more definitive timeline for the second-year pro's return is expected after evaluation by medical staff as he progresses in his rehabilitation.
Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to miss 4-6 weeks after sustaining another calf injury during Friday's loss. This marks a significant setback for the team, as the forward will undergo an extended period of rehabilitation. The timeline suggests he will be sidelined for a considerable portion of upcoming games.
Jakob Poeltl returned to Toronto on Sunday for targeted pain relief treatment for his back injury, with no established timeline for his return to play. The Raptors center aggravated a lingering back issue against the Nets on December 21 and has been sidelined since. Rookie Collin Murray-Boyles (thumb) and veteran Sandro Mamukelashvili are expected to continue in expanded roles while Poeltl remains out, impacting the team's frontcourt depth significantly.
Sacramento Kings' Zach LaVine has been officially ruled out for Sunday's game against the Pistons due to low back soreness. LaVine appeared on Saturday night's injury report as questionable. His next chance to play will be Tuesday when the Kings face the Knicks. Malik Monk, Dennis Schroder, Keon Ellis, and Nique Clifford are potential candidates to step into the starting lineup in his absence.
Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine has been added to the injury report and is now questionable for Sunday's game against the Pistons. The star guard is dealing with low back soreness, a new development as he was not on the initial report. If LaVine is unable to play, Malik Monk or Dennis Schroder are potential candidates to step into the starting lineup.
